Bill seeking to develop competitive digital workforce lapses into law

A proposed measure that aims to prepare more Filipinos for jobs through education and training on digital skills has lapsed into law, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said on Tuesday.

Senate Bill 1834 or the Philippine Digital Workforce Competitiveness Act was among the bills that recently lapsed into law, according to the list Zubiri provided to the media.

The bill was transmitted to Malacañang on June 29, the day before President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. took office, but neither he nor his predecessor signed or vetoed it, allowing it to lapse into law more than a month later.

The measure establishes the Inter-Agency Council for Development and Competitiveness of Philippine Digital Workforce that will lead the promotion, development, and enhancement of the competitiveness of Filipinos in digital technology and innovations.

It will be led by the National Economic and Development Authority with the Department of Labor and Employment, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Information and Communications Technology, Department of Science and Technology, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Education, Commission on Higher Education, and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority as members.

The new law authorizes the government to enter into public-private partnerships with industry experts, IT-BPO associations, private companies, and other stakeholders to plan and implement training, skills development, and certification programs for digital careers.

It also mandates local government units, with the help of Public Employment Service Offices, to formulate local policies that support and promote the growth and development of digital technology as well as digital careers and innovations in their respective communities. —VBL, GMA News